Top 10 Craziest Fine 'I'll Do It Myself' Moments In Sports

By Game 3 of the 2006 NBA finals, the Dallas Mavericks were leading a comfortable 2-0 in the series over the Miami Heat. It looked like the Heat’s first finals would end with a dominating loss. Yet Dwayne Wade wrote his name in the history books during that game by scoring 42 points, giving the Heat a narrow win. This inspired the team, who soon after tied the series. In Game 5, Wade shot 25 free throws, more than the entire Dallas team combined, including one that gave the Heat the win and turned the tide as they secured their first championship in Game 6. Wade was the Heat’s highest scorer in every finals game, rightfully winning the finals MVP award.

Out of his long career of impressive achievements, Steven Gerrard's best performance in a Liverpool shirt is undoubtedly the 2006 FA Cup final, nicknamed “The Gerrard Final.” Things weren’t off to the best start, as within 30 minutes, West Ham led 2-nil. Cue Gerrard, who played a long ball to Djibril Cissé to volley it in. In the second half, the Scouse icon equalized with a half-volley. Yet Liverpool fell behind once again. In injury time, a shattered Gerrard dug deep to fire in a 30-yard stunner, sending the match into extra time. During the penalty shootout, Gerrard also powered in his attempt, and Liverpool went on to lift the fabled trophy.

Playing for the San Francisco Giants against the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 World Series, Bumgarner’s outstanding performance across 21 innings led to his team claiming the famous Commissioner’s Trophy. During the series, Bumgarner either broke or matched many World Series records. This included being the first pitcher to produce a shutout with no walks and at least 8 strikeouts, which he achieved in Game 5, and the most shutout innings in relief with 5 during the deciding Game 7. To no one’s surprise, the pitcher nicknamed “MadBum” was awarded MVP honors.

After the Boston Bruins won the first 3 games, the score was tied in game 4 at 3 a piece, and went into overtime. Up skates defenseman Bobby Orr. He played the puck to Derek Sanderson, who returned it to him near the Blues’s goal. As cool as an icy cucumber, Orr slotted the puck past Glenn Hall, sealing the 4-0 series win for the Bruins. Orr, caught in the moment, produced a flying dive on the ice before being swamped by his ecstatic teammates. The moment, captured on camera, remains one of the most iconic photos in hockey history.

At the 1932 Summer Olympics, Mildred Didrikson Zaharias took part in the women’s categories for the 80-meter hurdles, high jump, and javelin throw. She put out a performance of a lifetime by smashing world records and winning two gold medals and a silver in the high jump after a controversial judging decision robbed her of three golds. As a result, Zaharias is the only Olympic athlete to date to win medals in running, throwing, and jumping events. She also contributed to the US finishing top of the medals table.

Like Zaharias, Eric Heiden is another once-in-a-generation athletic phenomenon who set several world records. The speed skater represented the US at the 1980 Winter Olympics and he put in a performance that went down in the prestigious event's lore by winning a stunning five gold medals in speed skating competitions. His achievement put the US in third in the overall medal table. At the time of writing, only Michael Phelps and Vitaly Scherbo have equaled Heiden's record of most individual gold medals in a single Olympics.

There’s always a specific game that puts all doubts out of people’s minds about an athlete’s legendary status. For Tom Brady, that was Super Bowl XLIX. Playing for the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks, the quarterback was in dazzling form, especially in the fourth quarter with his side behind by 10. During the game, Brady broke or matched 7 Super Bowl records, 3 of which extended his own. Due to his efforts and the fantastic interception by Malcolm Butler to stop a late comeback, the Patriots went on to win 28-24, and Brady was named Super Bowl MVP.

Dirk Nowitzki was the linchpin in the Dallas Mavericks’s 2011 NBA season. But taking on the star-studded and heavy favorites Miami Heat in the finals, it didn’t look good for Dallas. Matters worsened when it was revealed Nowitzki tore a tendon in his finger and was battling illness along the way (something which LeBron James and Dwyane Wade mocked him for). Yet, even with everything against him, the German carried his underdog side. With the exception of Game 6, Nowitzki was the top point scorer for Dallas, leading them to their first NBA Championship and winning the Finals MVP award.

In recent years, when the England cricket team has needed something magical, Ben Stokes has stepped into the fray. After all, he was a big part in winning his nation the 2019 Cricket World Cup. But at the 2022 T20 World Cup Final, Stokes stepped up once again. After his bowling, which took 1 wicket and contained Pakistan to 137 runs with 8 out, team England struggled with batting. Then, Stokes entered in fourth. Big Match Ben turned it around by securing an unbeaten 52 runs, including clearing the boundary for a 6 and making 5 fours out of 49 balls. England reached 138 runs, beating Pakistan by 5 wickets, and secured themselves another World Cup thanks to Stokes.

It’s not any footballer who can cause a moment of pure genius and one of controversy during the same game! But Diego Maradona was a unique talent. At the 1986 World Cup, Argentina faced England in the quarter-final. After his “Hand of God,” Maradona demonstrated the “goal of the century.” The Argentinian maestro got the ball inside his own half. He then ran towards the England goal, beating four players, one of them twice, before finding himself with goalkeeper Peter Shilton. A faint sent Shilton crashing to the ground, allowing Maradona to tuck away the best individual goal in history and giving his side a 2-1 win. Argentina went on to win the World Cup.

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